Quench block



y 1953 J. HARASTY 2,638,337

QUENCI-i BLOCK Filed March 9, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l y 1953 J. HARASTY 2,638,337

QUENCH BLOCK my /a M 1' .156

+46 Jul/05 #4245714 A y 1953 J. HARASTY 2,638,337

QUENCH BLOCK Filed March 9, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lowentm': JUA/U5 fim/aasrn :the :steel. .scratched due to eontact with part of :t'hequench Patented May 12, 1953 UN 1 TE!) E S PATENT 'QFF-il-CE QUENCH BLOCK 'ifulius Harasty, Westfield, N. J.

:ApplicationiMareh 9, 1951, :Seria'I-NO. 214,773?

23 Claims.

.1 This invention relates to a =quench block and more particularly .to a .quench block for arse .in .tempering steel strip-suchas razor bladestock.

The steel strip is continuously heat treated .by\

passing it from a reel-through rardegreaser then over tension rolls into a hardening zturnace where the temperatureof thelsteel israisedabove the critical temperature. {The .heat treated strip is then passed'through aquench block "where its temperature is -.guickly lowered to approximately room temperature, --after which it passes to a draw furnace where it .is heatedztoa -.temperature below the critical temperature so as -to temper the martensite formed, in the original operation. From the draw furnace the strip passes through :a cooling block to .drawrolls andthencerto a reel where it is rewound into coils. The quench blocks used previous to my :invention were .not satisfactory in that :they fail to properly guench In some instances the :strip :was

block. .In many instances -:the :strip sceols -.un-- evenly, thus ':causing sweep or curvature of the :strip, deformation .of strip. @Ild'l'lOlllll'llfOlll'lifhfilidening.

In some cases the strip does :not enter the hardening .zone of the quench (block in accurate alignment with Y the :mufile .tube of the .fur-

name, this :also :resulting in @sW-eep. Because of these defects at large percentage of the tempered steel stock was :r-ejected with rejections Another object .is to provide such a iquench Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line -X-z-X of Figure :6;

Figure ;11 .a schematic .view of the cooling system for the quench block;

Figure 12 .isa sectionalview,-similar to Figure 8, showing .a slight modification of my device;

Figure 13 isa sectional view takenon the line XIII-XIII of .Figure .12; and

Figure 14 is a perspective view of .a guide block of Figure 12.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and .2-of the drawings, :the deference-numeral =2 indiblock which willsubstantiallyeliminate scratches and bends in the strip.

These and other objects will ,be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

Figure 4 is an end view,,partlytinsection,.of

the guide of Figure 3;

'Figure '5 is .a top plan view .of the quench block;

Figure 6 is .a side elevation of .Figure .5;

Figure 7 is an end view takenjin thedirection 3 of the arrow l of Figure 6,;

Figure '8 is a sectional .viewtakenlonlthe line VIIIVIII of fFigure"5;

FigureiQ is a sectional view taken :on the line "IX- 1X "Of "Figure "6,

cates a hardening furnace .having a ,muiile tube 4 therein through which the .strip 3 being .heat treated passes. The mufile tube 4 extends a short distance i-Irom'the exit .end of thefurnace. A shelf 6 .is attached to the exit end .of the hardening furnace a short distance below the muffle tube 4. A clamping bracket 8 is fastened to the shelf 6 by meansof bolts 10. The elevation of theclampingbracketmay beadjusted in any suitable manner suchas by providing .s'hims between the shelf "6 .and bracket I8. The clamping bracket is .u-shaped in .cross section with upwardly extending longitudinal flanges H. .A pairof knurledscrews 14 are threaded through each of the flanges 12am the purpose of adjusting the horizontal position of the quench block.

As best shown in Figures 5 to 10, the quench block consists of a lower iblock 1.6 and an upper block .18. The lower block [6 hasa longitudinal channel 20 inits topsurface andhas longitudinal side plates 22 fastened to thesides thereof With the tops extending above the top of the lower block. The vexitend of the .lower block 16 has an end plate .24 fastened thereto. The end plate '24 has two lugs .25 extending upwardly above the top-of the lowerbloc'k IS. AS best shown in Figures Sand .9,thre.e plates 28,29 and 30, made of tungsten carbide or a similar hard wearing ,material, are arranged side by side in the chan- .ne'l 20 .at the entry end "thereof.

The middle tungsten carbide plate '29 is of less thickness than the outer'tungsten carbideplatesZBand '30. The plates .28 and'30 are identical. A steel filler 32 andshims '34 .are arranged on each side of the plates 28 an'cl'30 for .holding the plates 28, 2'9 and I "The number of blocks36 is'not important, it only being necessary thatthe channelbe filled with tungsten carbide having a thickness slightly greater than that of plate 29. Steel spacers 38 having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the strip S- may .be provided at the four corners of each of the tungsten carbide blocks 36 as shown in Figure 5. An upper tungsten carbide plate 40 is mounted above plate 29 between the tungsten carbide plates 28 and 30. The thickness of the plate 40 is such that it will extend above the top of the plates 28 and 30 when a strip S is between the plates 29 and 49. Tungsten carbide plates 42 of the same size and shape as the plates 36 are mounted above the plates 36. The upper block [8 rests on the plates 42 between the side plates 22. Longitudinal movement of the upper block l8 and the tungsten carbide plates is prevented by the lugs 26. The thickness of each plate 28 and 30 is slightly less than the total thickness of plates 29 and 40 plus the thickness of the steel strip S. Plates 29 and 40 are slightly thinner than plates 36 and 42 so that the upper block 18 does not bear on plate 40, this preventing the strip from being scratched before it becomes hard and also preventing too rapid cooling as the strip enters the quench block. The lower block l has a plurality of drilled water passageways 44 extending longi-' tudinally therethrough. Plugs 46 are threaded into each end of each passageway 44. Manifolds 48 and 50 are provided one at each end of the lower block so as to connect the passageways 44.

The upper block 3 is provided with similar longitudinal passageways 52 having their ends closed with plugs 54. Manifolds 56 and 58 are provided one at each end of the block for connecting the passageways 52. v

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, th lower half 60" of the entry guide is fastened to the entry end of the lower block l6 by means of bolts 62 which are threaded into tapped holes in the bottom block. The lower half 60 of the guide is provided with downwardly extending flanges with an opening therebetween so that the cap screws 62 do not have to extend completely through the guide. The top part of the bottom entry guide 60 is provided with a pair of spaced apart longitudinal slots 64 in which are received two tungsten carbide plates 66 which extend above the top of the bottom part of the guide. The upper 'part 68 of the guide is provided with similar longitudinal slots 10 for receiving the tungsten carbide plates 66. Asbestos 12 is packed between the end of the furnace 2 and the entrance end of the entrance guide around the muffle tube A and also in the joint between the two parts of the guide to prevent loss of neutral atmosphere gas from the furnace. Since the entrance gas in the mufiie tube is under a low positive pressure it passes slowly and continuously from the muflle tube through the entrance guide and quench block and escapes through the exit end of the quench block.

Water for cooling the quench block is supplied to the manifolds 48 and 56 at the exit end of the quench blocks through a supply line 14. A pipe '16 with a valve 18 thereon has one end connected to the manifold 48 and the other end connected by means of a flexible hose B0 to supply line 14. A pipe 82 having a valve 84 thereon has one end connected to the manifold 56 and the other end connected by means of a flexible hose 86 to supply line 14. A centrifugal pump 88 delivers water to a surge tank 90 which in turn delivers it to the supply line 14. A bleedoif 92 is provided for removing entrapped air from the cooling water. The pump 88 supplies water under a pressure of between approximately 4 15 and 40 pounds per square inch depending upon the size of the block and mass of the strip being quenched, thus causing the water to flow through the quench block. The water from the lower block 16 passes through the manifold 50 to a pipe 94 having a valve 96 therein and thence through a flexible hose 98 to the return line me which returns the water to a supply tank H32. The suction end of the pump 88 is connected to the tank I02 through a pipe line iil l. Water from the upper block 18 passes through a pipe I06 connected to the manifold 58. The ipe HHS has a valve 108 therein and is connected to the return line I99 by means of a flexible hose H0. Thus separate streams of cooling water are caused to flow from the manifolds it and 56 in the exit ends of the lower and upper blocks respectively through the several passageways i l and 52, all arranged substantially in paralle1 and uniformly across the width of the lower and upper quench blocks respectively and into the manifolds 50 and 58 in the entrance ends of the lower and upper quench blocks. This arrangement has been found particularly advantageous in that it eliminates the tendency of uneven flow of cooling water, insures a uniform flow of cooling water of uniform temperature from side to side and end to end of both the lower and upper quench blocks and eliminates the tendency of forming air pockets in the cooling water channels of the blocks thereby insuring uniform cooling from side to side and end to end of the quench blocks. Formation of air pockets in the cooling water channels immediately results in a change or variation in the temperature of the blocks and consequently in the temperature of the strip material being quenched between the blocks. This condition is undesirable and tends to distort the shape of the strip material.

In preparing the quench block for operation, the bottom block 16 and bottom half 99 of the entry guide are arranged on the clamping bracket 8 and clamped in place by means of the screws i l. The tungsten carbide plates 38 are coated lightly on their underside with graphite grease or other lubricant and slid under pressure into place. The surfaces of the tungsten carbide plates and the block I6 are so nearly flat that the plates will adhere to the block. Tungsten carbide plates 28, 29 and 30 are positioned in the same manner with graphite grease on their underside and the steel blocks 32 and shims 34 are added to fill the remaining space in the channel 20 and thus position the plates in the desired position. The steel strip S to be hardened is pulled through the muiile tube 4 between the entry guide plates 55 which are spaced apart a distance slightly great er than the width of strip S and then over plates 29 and 36 and out of the quench block. The bot tom block I6 with the bottom half Bil of the entry guide are then adjusted so that the strip S coming from the muiiie tube 4 will be in alignment with the openings between plates 64 and between plates28 and 30. The four pieces of steel strip 38 are then positioned as shown on the tungsten carbide plates 36. The tungsten carbide plates 40 and 42 are then placed on top of the strip S. The upper block l8 and the upper half 68 of the entry guide are placed on top of the tungstencarbide plates 42 and 66, respectively. The cooling water supply and return are then connected to the upper and lower blocks l6 and I8. Asbestos I2 is packed between the muffle tube 4 and the entry guide and between the two parts of the entry guide. The quench block is then ready for operation and the heat treating line is started in operation. As the strip passes between the tungsten carbide blocks 29 and 40 it is relatively soft but it will not be scratched since the tungsten carbide blocks are smooth and there is very little pressure on the strip, since the only pressure is due to the'weight of the upper tungsten carbide block 30. As the strip S passes between the plates and 42 heat is extracted therefrom and transferred to the-cooling water. The use of the lubricant beneath the plates 36 causes the plates to adhere closely to the bottom block I6 and fills all the minute voids which would otherwise exist due to imperfections in the surfaces, thus transmitting heat over substantially 100% of the bottom area of the tungsten carbide plates.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figures 12 to 14, plates 28, 29, 30 and 40, fillers 32, and shims 34 of the first embodiment are replaced by a single guide plate II I having a slot H2 in its top surface through which the strip S is passed, thus guiding and holding it in the center of the quench blocks I6 and I8. The slot II2 is preferably slightly wider than strip S. This guide plate is made of any suitable hard wearing material such as tungsten carbide and may be positioned in the channel 20 with a sliding fit. When quenching relatively thin strip such as .602 inch thick the front face of the plate I I I is preferably flush with the entry end of the block I d. When quenching relatively thick strip such as .012 inch or greater the plate III is placed two or three inches from the entryend of the block It, as shown, thus providing a space H4, the purpose of which will be explained later. The thickness of the guide plate I I I beneath the slot I I2 is no greater than and is preferably less than the thickness of the plates 36. The overall thickness of the guide plate III is slightly less than the thickness of the plates 36 and 42 plus the thickness of strip S so that the guide plate Hi can slide freely in the channel 20 up against the ends of the adjacent plates 36 and 42. The guide plate I I I is coated slightly on its underside with graphite, grease or similar lubricantso that it can slide freely in and at the same time adhere to the bottom of the channel 20. It will be noted that the block 40 is omitted in this embodiment. When using the guide plate II I the entry guides 60 and 68 may be omitted if desired in which case the quench blocks are abutted against the exit end of the furnace mufile tube 4. I

In preparing the quench blocks for operation the strip S to be hardened is pulled through the muflie tube 4, through, the open. :space lid, through the slot II2, over the plates. 36 and out of the quench block. When the strip S is narrow four pieces of steel strip 38 are then positioned on each of thefour corners of the tungsten carbide plates 36 and the tungsten carbide plates 42 are placed on top of the strip S. The upper block I8 is then; placed on top of the tungsten carbide plate 42. return pipes are then connected to the upper and lower blocks I8 and Iflandthe parts are packed with asbestos after which the apparatus is ready for operation. I

In quenching relatively wide strip the steel strips 38 may be omitted since the tungsten carbide plates 42 will be only slightly wider than the strip S and will always lie flat thereagainst without tilting. When the guide plate III is spaced from the entry endof the block lithe chamber ll is filled with neutral atmosphere gas or other The cooling water supply and.

gas from the furnace so as to exclude air from the space. The chamber I I 4 permits prequenching of the strip S before it is thoroughly quenched between the tungsten carbide plates 36 and 42.

When the heat treating line using this embodiment of my invention is started, the relatively soft strip S passes through the slot I I2 without being scratched because the slot is smooth and there is no pressure on the strip at this point. As the strip passes between the plates 36 and 42 heat is extracted therefrom and is transferred to the cooling water in the same way as in the first embodiment.

While several embodiments of my invention have been shown and described it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

- I claim:

l. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block, three guide plates of hard wearing material arranged side by side on the top of said lower block at the entry end thereof, the middle plate being of less thickness than the outer plates and the thickness of the outer plates being equal, a hard wearing strip of at least the same thickness as the middle plate arranged on top of said bottom block adjacent the entry plates, an upper hard wearing strip mounted above the first named hard wearing strip, the thickness of the outer guide plates being less than the sum of the thicknesses of the upper and lower hard wearing strips and the steel strip being quenched therebetween, a top block resting on said upper hard wearing strip, and means for cooling said top and bottom blocks.

2. A quench block according to claim 1 including a bottom entry guide fastened to said bottom block, said bottom entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its upper surface, a plate of hard wearing material in each longitudinal slot extending above the top of said bottom entry guide, and a top entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its lower surface for receiving said last named plates.

3. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block, three plates of hard wearing material arranged side by side on the top of said lower block at the entry end thereof, the middle plate being of less thickness than the outer plates and the thickness of the outer plates being equal, a hard wearing strip of the same thickness as the middle plate arranged cn top of said bottom block adjacent the entry plates, an upper plate of hard wearing material mounted above said middle plate between the outer plates and extending thereabove when a strip is in the quench block, an upper hard wearing strip having a thickness greater than the last named plate mounted above the first named hard wearing strip, and a top block resting on said upper hard wearing strip, said top and bottom blocks each having a plurality of longitudinal cooling passageways therein and manifolds at each end connecting said passageways.

4. A quench block according to claim 3 including a bottom entry guide fastened to said bottom block, said bottom entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its upper surface, a plate of hard wearing material in each longitudinal. slot extending above the top of said bottomentry guide, and a top entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its lower surface for receiving said last named plates.

5. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block, three plates of hard wearing material arranged side by side on the to of said lower block at the entry end thereof, the middle plate being of less thickness than the outer plates and the thickness of the outer plates being equal, a hard wearing strip of the same thickness as the middle plate arranged on the top of said bottom block adjacent the entry plates, a lubricant between the hard wearing material and the bottom block, spacers resting on the hard wearing strip at the corners thereof, said spacers being of substantially the same thickness as the steel strip being quenched, an upper plate of hard wearing material mounted above said middle plate between the outer plates and extending thereabove when a strip is in the quench block, an upper hard wearing strip having a thickness greater than the last named plate mounted above the first named hard wearing strip, a top block resting on said upper plate, and means for cooling said top and bottom blocks.

6. A quench block according to claim including a bottom entry guide fastened to said bottom block, said bottom entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its upper surface, a plate of hard'wearing material in each longitudinal slot extending above the top of said bottom entry guide, and a top entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its lower surface for receiving said last named plates.

7. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block, three plates of hard wearing material arranged side by side on the top of said lower block at the entry end thereof, the middle plate being of less thickness than the outer plates and the thickness of the outer plates being equal, a hard wearing strip of the same thickness as the middle plate arranged on the top of said bottom block adjacent the entry plates, a lubricant between the hard wearing material and the bottom block, spacers resting on the hard wearing strip at the corners thereof, said spacers being of substantially the same thickness as the steel strip being quenched, an upper plate of hard wearing material mounted above said middle plate between the outer plates and extending thereabove when a strip is in the quench block, an upper hard Wearing strip having a thickness greater than the last named plate mounted above the first named hard wearing strip, a top block resting on said upper hard wearing strip, said top and bottom blocks each having a plurality of longitudinal cooling passageways therein and manifolds at each end connecting said passageways.

8. A quench block according to claim '7 including a bottom entry guide fastened to said bottom block, said bottom entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its upper surface, a plate of hard wearing material in each longitudinal slot extending above the top of said bottom entry guide, and a top entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its lower surface for receiving said last named plates.

9. A quench block for continuously quenching narrow steel strip comprising a bottom block having a longitudinal channel in the top surface thereof, longitudinal side plates along the sides of said lower block extending above the top thereof, three tungsten carbide plates arranged side by side in said channel at the entry end thereof, the middle tungsten carbide plate being of less thickness than the outer tungsten carbide plates and the thickness of the outer tungsten carbide plates being equal, tungsten carbide means of the same thickness as the middle tungsten carbide plate arranged in said channel adjacent the entry tungsten carbide plates, a lubricant between the tungsten carbide and the bottom of said channel, spacers resting on the tungsten carbide means at the corners thereof,

said spacers being of substantially the same thickness as the steel strip being quenched, an upper tungsten carbide plate mounted above said middle tungsten carbide plate between the outer tungsten carbide plates and extending thereabove when a strip is in the quench block, upper tungsten carbide means having a thickness greater than the last named tungsten carbide plate mounted above the first named tungsten carbide, a top block resting on said upper tungsten carbide means, an end plate fastened to the exit end of said bottom block and extending upwardly therefrom to prevent longitudinal movement of said upper block, and means for cooling said top and bottom blocks.

10. A quench block according to claim 9 includin a bottom entry guide fastened to said bottom block, said bottom entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its upper surface, a tungsten carbide plate in each longitudinal slot extending above the top of said bottom entry guide, and a top entry guide having spaced apart longitudinal slots in its lower surface for receiving said last named tungsten carbide plates.

11. A quench block for continuously quenching narrow steel strip comprising a bottom block having a longitudinal channel in the top surface thereof, longitudinal side plates along the sides of said lower block extending above the top thereof, three tungsten carbide plates arranged side by side in said channel at the entry end thereof, the middle tungsten carbide plate being of less thickness than the outer tungsten carbide plates and the thickness of the outer tungsten carbide plates being equal, tungsten carbide means of the same thickness as the middle tungsten carbide plate arranged in said channel adjacent the entry tungsten carbide plates, a lubricant between the tungsten carbide and the bottomof said channel, spacers resting on the tungsten carbide means at the corners thereof, said spacers being of substantially the same thickness as the steel strip being quenched, an upper tungsten carbide plate mounted above said middle tungsten carbide plate between the outer tungsten carbide plates and extending thereabove when a strip is in the quench block, upper tungsten carbide means having a thickness greater than the last named tungsten carbide plate mounted above the first named tungsten carbide means, a top block resting on said upper tungsten carbide means, and an end plate fastened to the exit end of said bottom block and extending upwardly therefrom to prevent longitudinal movement of said upper block, said top and bottom blocks having a plurality of longitudinal cooling passageways therein and manifolds at each end connecting said passageways.

12. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block, a guide plate of hard wearing material positioned on the top of said bottom block adjacent the entry end thereof, said guide plate having a slot in its top surface slightly wider than the width of the strip being quenched, a hard wearing strip arranged on top of said bottom block adjacent the said ainaasv;

' .9: guide. plate, said: hard wearing strip, having. a thickness at. least equalto the thickness of the slotted, portion of the said guide plate an. upper hand wearing strip=mounted above the first named hard wearing strip, the thicknessof the said. guide plate-being-less than the sum of the thicknesses of. the upper and lower hard wearing strips and the steel strip, being quenched. therebetween, a topbloch resting on saidupperhard wearin Strip, and means,for cooling said. topand bottom blocks.

13. A quench block for continuouslye quenching steel. strip comprising a bottom block, a, guide plate of,- hard wearing material positioned on the top: of. said bottom blockadjacent the entry end thereof, said. guide: plate having: a slotin its top surface slightly wider than the widthv of the. strip being quenched, a, hard. wearing strip arranged on topof said. bottom block adjacent. the said guide plate, said hard wearing strip. having a thickness at least equal. to the thickness of the slotted. portion ofthe said guide, plate, an upper hard wearing strip-mountedabove the firstnamed hard wearing strip, the thickness. of the said guide plate being less. than the sum of, the thicknesses of. the'upper and. lower hard. wearing strips. and the steel strip being quenchedv therebetween, said top, and: bottom blocks. each having a plurality of longitudinal cooling passageways therein and manifolds at each end connecting said passageways.

14. A quench block for continuously. quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block, a. gui e plate of hard wearing material positioned on the top. of saidlower block adjacent the entry end thereof, said guide plate having a slotin', its top surface slightly wider than the widthofthe strip being quenched, a hard wearing strip arranged ontop of said bottom block adjacent the said guide plate, said hard wearing strip having a thickness at least equal to the thickness. of the slotted portion of the said guide plate, a lubricant between the hard wearing material and the bot: tom block, spacers resting on the hard wearing strip at the corners. thereof, said. spacers being of substantially the samethiekness as the steel. strip being quenched; an upper hard wearing strip mounted above the first. named hard wearing strip, the thickness of the said guide plate-being less the. sum of thethi-cknessesof the-upper and lower hard wearing strips and the-steel strip being quenchedtherebetween, a top block resting on. said upper hard wearing strip; and meansfor cooling said top and bottom blocks.

15-. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom bloek, a guide plateof hard wearin material positioned on the top of said lower block adjacent the entry end thereof, said guide plate having a slot inits top surface slightly wider than the width; of the strip being quenched, a hard wearing strip arranged on top of said bottom block adjacent the said guide; plate, said hard wearing strip having a thickness at least. equal to thethickness of the slotted portion of the said guide plate, a lubricant between the hard wearing material and the bottom block, spanersresting on the hard wearing strip at the corners thereof, saidspacers being of substantially the same thickness as the steel strip being quenched, an upper'hard wearing strip mounted above the first named hard wearing F strip, the thickness of the said guide plate being less than the sum of the thicknesses of the upper and lower hard wearing strips and the steel strip being quenched therebetween, a top block resting on said upper hard wearing strip, said top and bottom. b ocks. each havin a pl ra i f on tud-inal. coolin passageways therein, and manifolds at each end connecting said passageways.

..v A. q ench bloc for con inu usly quenching steel strip. comprising a bottom block hav.- n a l ngitudinal channel in the top su face thereof, longitudinal. sidfi plates, along the sides of. said bottom block extending above. the top thereof, a tungsten carbide guide plate positioned n the. said. channel. adja en he end, thereof said. ide plate having, a. slot. in. its. top surface sli htly wid r than the width o r p bein que ched, t ngst n. a bide means. a ran ed in said chann l. d a ent the said. gu d plat said un st n ar de means. av n a t k ess a I least. equal to. the thickness. of the slotted p01.-

tion of. the said guide, plate, a lubricant between the tungsten. carbide and, the bottom Q 5 Said channel, spaqersresting on the tun sten carbide means at the corners, thereof, said spac rs being of substanti lly he. sam hi kn ss as thesteel strip being quenched, upper tungsten carbide means. mounted above the first named tungsten carbide means, the thickness, of the said guide late bein less. than the. sum of the. t c n ss s of, the upper and lower tungsten carbide: means and. the steel stri being quenched therebet-ween, a top, block resting on said upper tungsten carbide. me ns, an end. plate tastened. to? the exit end of said bottom block and extending upwardlv. therefrom to, prevent. longitudinal movement of saidv upper block, and; means for cooling said top. and. bottom. blocks.

1'1. A quench block. for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block have ing a longitudinal channel. in the top surface thereof, longitudinal side. plates along the sides of said. bottom block extending abovethe. top thereof, a tungsten; carbide, guide plate positinned in the said channel. adjacent the end thereof, said guide? plate having a slot in its top suriace. slightly wider than the width. of. thestrip bein qu nc ed. ungs en carbide mea an ran d i said hann l. ad ac t the sa d guide plate, said tungsten. carbide means. hav g a thickness at. least;- equal to the thickness of the slo t d. porti n of. the aid uide p a d a. lubri cant, between the tungsten carbide and the bot-l tom of said channel,. spacers resting. on, the, tungan carbide m ansat the corners. thereof, said spacers bein of substantially the sarnethickness as the steel strip being quenched, upper tungsten carbide means mountedaboye the first named tungsten carbide. means, the, thickness of the said guide plate being less than. the or the thick; nesses of, the upper and lower tungsten carbide means, and the steel. strip being quenched-theme tw n. a top block r st ng on. saidupp runa n,- arbide means, an end plate fastened; to the x t or s id b tt m blot-k: nd: extending pwardly therefromto. prevent longitudinal movement of said upper block,v said top: and; bottom locks each having a plural ty o lon itud nal? cooling passageways therein and manifolds at each end connecting; said passageways.

.18. A- quen h. block for centinuous r quenchin steel str -nomprising: a: bo tom; lo k, guide means of hard wearing material positioned; on top, oi said bott m, block: d ace t the entry end th r of; said guide means he: a relatively hin n 11 sli ht y W der than he width'of t e strip b insfdnenehed and relatively thickportions on each side of the thin portion, a hard wearing strip of at least the same thickness as the thin portion of the guide means arranged on top of said bottom block adjacent the guide means, an upper hard wearing strip, the thickness of said thick portions of the guide means being less than the sum of the thicknesses of the upper and lower hard wearing strips and the steel strip being quenched therebetween, a top block resting on said upper hard wearing strip, and means for cooling said top and bottom blocks.

19. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block, guide means of hard wearing material positioned on top of said bottom block adjacent the entry end thereof, said guide means having a relatively thin portion slightly wider than the width of the strip being quenched and relatively thick portions on each side of the thin portion, a hard wearing strip of at least the same thickness as the thin portion of the guide means arranged on top of said bottom block adjacent the guide means, a lubricant between the hard wearing material and the bottom block, spacers resting on the hard wearing strip at the corners thereof; said spacers being of substantially the same thickness as the steel strip being quenched, an upper hard wearing strip mounted on said spacers, the thickness of said thick portions of the guide means being less than the sum of the thicknesses of the upper and lower hard wearing strips and the steel strip being quenched therebetween, a top block resting on said upper hard wearing strip, said top and bottom blocks each having a plurality of longitudinal cooling passageways therein and manifolds at each end connecting said passageways.

20. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block having a longitudinal channel in the top surface thereof, longitudinal side plates along the sides of said bottom block extending above the top thereof, tungsten carbide guide means positioned in the said channel adjacent the entry end thereof, said guide means having a relatively thin portion slightly wider than the width of the strip being quenched and relatively thick portions on each side of the thin portion, tungsten carbide means of at least the same thickness as the thin portion of the guide means arranged in said channel adjacent the guide means, a lubricant between the tungsten carbide and the bottom of said channel, spacers resting on the tungsten carbide means at the corners thereof, said spacers being of substantially the same thickness as the steel strip being quenched, upper tungsten carbide means mounted on said spacers above the first named tungsten carbide means, the thickness of said thick portions of the guide means, being less than the sum of the thicknesses of the upper and lower tungsten carbide means and the steel strip being quenched therebetween, a to block restin on said upper tungsten carbide means, an

end plate fastened to the exit end of said bottom block and extending upwardly therefrom to prevent longitudinal movement of said upper block, said top and bottom blocks each having a plurality of longitudinal cooling passageways therein and manifolds at each end connecting said passageways.

21. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block, strip supporting means of hard wearing material positioned on top of said bottom block, said bottom block having a transverse manifold adjacent each end and a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart parallel passageways extending between said manifolds, a hard wearing strip above said strip supporting means, a top block resting on said hard wearing strip, said top block having a transverse manifold adjacent each end and a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart parallel passageways extending between said manifolds, and means for delivering a. coolant to the manifolds at one end of said blocks.

22. A quench block for continuously quenching narrow steel strip comprising a bottom block having a longitudinal channel in the top surface thereof, longitudinal side plates along the sides of said lower block extending above the top thereof, strip supporting means of hard wearing material positioned in said channel, said bottom block having a transverse manifold adjacent each end and a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart parallel passageways extending between said manifolds, a hard wearing strip above said strip supporting means, a top block resting on said hard wearing strip between said side plates, said top block having a transverse manifold adjacent each end and a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart parallel passageways extending between said manifolds, an end plate fastened to the exit end of said bottom block and extending upwardly therefrom to prevent longitudinal movement of said upper block, and means for delivering a coolant to the manifolds at one end of said blocks.

23. A quench block for continuously quenching steel strip comprising a bottom block, said bottom block having a transverse manifold adjacent each end and a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart parallel passageways extending between said manifolds, guide means of hard wearing material positioned on top of said bottom block adjacent the entry end thereof, said guide means having a relatively thin portion slightly Wider than the width of the strip being quenched and relatively thick portions on each side of the thin portion, a hard wearing strip of at least the same thickness as the thin portion of the guide means arranged on top of said bottom block adjacent the guide means, an upper hard wearing strip, the thickness of said thick portions of the guide means being less than the sum of the thicknesses of the upper and lower hard wearing strips and the steel strip being quenched therebetween, a top block resting on said upper hard wearing strip, said top block having a transverse manifold adjacent each end and a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart parallel passageways extending between said manifolds, and means for delivering a coolant to the manifolds at one end of said blocks.

JULIUS HARASTY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,817,902 Schumacher Aug. 4, 1931 1,824,410 Sheehan Sept. 22, 1931 1,994,839 Swoboda et a1. c Mar. 19, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 409,909 Great Britain May 10, 1934 

